the prince and the pill popper

Chapter One:

April 23rd, 2047 // 4:16 pm

“Landon,” I glanced up from my book to see my roommate Kyle. Kyle was never too good at knowing when I’d rather not be disturbed.

I raised a brow, “What?”

Kyle played with his hands, avoiding my eyes. He began to shuffle back and forth awkwardly, “Well,”

I set down my book, making sure I bookmarked it first. “Kyle, I’m aging here.”

He looked at me and nodded, “Right, sorry. Well, uh, you know how you said that you wouldn't go to a party again after the last one?”

I slowly nodded, “Uh huh.”

“WellTracyRavennainvitedmeandyoutohertwinbrother’sfratpartyandit’sinviteonlyandIneedyoutocomewithmeeventhoughyousaidyouwouldntbutthisismychancetogetwithher-” Kyle said in one breath, his face getting red from lack of oxygen intake.

I held up a hand in front of his face, standing up from sitting on my bed. “Kyle. Slower.”

He let out a breath and tried again. Running a hand through his shaggy blonde hair, “Tracy Ravenna invited the both of us to her brother’s exclusive frat party tonight.”

I sighed loudly, “Kyle, man, you know I wanna help you, but I just don’t think I-”

“What if I told you that Mallory was supposed to be there?” Kyle spoke suggestively.

I raised a brow, “Mallory, like Mallory Fisk?”

“Yep.” Kyle responded, popping the ‘p.’ “Rumor has it she’s back from Portugal or some other Latin American country. I can’t remember.”

I ignored Kyle’s idiotic geographical skills, thinking about the party. Mallory. It’d been so long since I'd seen her. She always cracked me up. Hanging out with her gave me an excuse to leave the dorm. And Kyle. Mostly Kyle.

“Fine.”

Kyle smiled widely. “Dude, I swear I will find you the hottest chick at the party, other than Tracy, of course.”

I rolled my eyes and looked back at Kyle, “don’t let me drink, okay?”

Kyle nodded, “‘Course. I won't either. I can't be drinkin’ on the job.”

“Job?” I asked, perplexed.

Kyle bit his lip in an unsexy manner. “I got a babe to bone. Full time job, bro. You don't understand.”

“Gag.”

“You do realize you said that out loud, right?”

I glanced at Kyle and moved past him, nodding as I headed towards our dorm room’s door.

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April 24th, 2028 // 12:01 am

“Where’s the f*cking vodka?” I shouted to no one in particular as I haphazardly tossed the empty bottle of what used to be rum onto the floor. I think I heard someone respond with ‘the kitchen,’ so I stumbled my way into what I believed to be the kitchen.

There was a bottle of vodka amongst other alcoholic beverages sitting on the kitchen counter. I grabbed the bottle of cheap-looking vodka and proceeded to drink from it. Why did I say that I wasn't going to go to a party again? Parties are great.

The loud music, the alcohol, the sweaty bodies. It was all coming back to me.

“Woah, slow down there, man.” A voice came behind me.

I turned around to see Khalil Austero. I narrowed my eyes at him and took another long swig. “Wow. Look who suddenly cares.”

Khalil’s face remained blank while he stared at me.

I put the bottle down. “What? Have you come here to tell me that you regret what you did? That you want me back? Or did you just come to remind me about how you pretended to be attracted to me?”

This seemed to get a response from Khalil. “Jesus Christ, Lan. You know that I’d never hurt you intentionally-”

“Oh f*ck off already with the bullsh*t. I’m drowning in it. Now get out of the way.”

Khalil made no move to get out of the way so that I could exit the kitchen. “Are f*cking serious right now?” I groaned.

Khalil took a breath, pushing his black curls away from his eyes. “I’m just worried about you-”

“That’s rich,” I spat. He gave me a pointed look.

“Look. I know that I f*cked us up. I know that. But I don't want to see you going back down the path you were going down last year.” Khalil chastised, his eyes showing a bit of sympathy as he scanned my frame.

“Enough already,” I grounded out, “I’m done with this conversation and I’m definitely done with you. So get the f*ck out of my way and the hell out of my life.” I grabbed the bottle of vodka and brought it with me as I brushed past him, exiting the kitchen.

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April 24th, 2037 // 2:29 am

How I ended up on the floor of someone’s bedroom, I have no idea.

How I ended up taking a bunch of different pills, I also have no idea.

How I ended up blacking out, I have no idea.

I just remember feeling so good…like in the moment, I was flying. Instant euphoria.

Then came the darkness.